Embossing device with dies mounted on flexible fingers

ABSTRACT

An embossing device which utilizes a pair of spaced discs. The discs have fingers. At the ends of the fingers of one disc are punch members and at the ends of the fingers of the other disc are corresponding die members. An actuation mechanism is provided which first moves one disc toward the other to close the fingers against the article to be embossed and then after closure generates embossing force against an anvil. The anvil is mounted on a first reaction bar to contain the reaction forces of embossing therebetween; and a second reaction bar is connected to the first reaction bar to contain the drive reaction forces therebetween. Also an interposer is provided for precise positioning of the punches and dies.

United Mates Patet 1 3,620,343

[72] Inventor Frill A- D uls h 3,330,396 7/1967 Jamesw n 197/67 XEuclid, Ohio 3,360,093 12/1967 McDonald.. 197/67 X [211 App]. No.784,558 3,366,212 l/1968 Mclnnis 197/67 [22] Filed Dec. 18, 19683,406,805 10/1968 Goodrich 197/67 [45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 3,485,33512/1969 McMahon 197/67 [73] Assignee Addressograph-MultigraphCorporation 947,397 l/1910 Owens 197/6.6

Cleveland, Ohio PrimaryExaminer Edgar S. Burr A!torneysRussell L. Rootand Ray S. Pyle [54] EMBOSSING DEVICE WITH DIES MOUNTED 0N FLEXIBLEFINGERS W 1 7 Claims, 19 Drawing Figs.

ABSTRACT: An embossing device which utilizes a pair of aced di cs The dihave flnge At the ends of the fingers Cl 1/30 of one disc are punchmembers and at the ends of the fingers 01' Search of the other disc arecorresponding members An actua. 5 1 References Cited tion mechanism isprovided which first moves one disc toward the other to close thefingers against the article to be em- UNITED STATES PATENTS bossed andthen after closure generates embossing force 2,133,201 10/1938 Krell197/6.7 against an anvil. The anvil is mounted on a first reaction barto 197/6.7 contain the reaction forces of embossing therebetween; and a3,116,820 H1964 Owen l97/6.7 second reaction bar is connected to thefirst reaction bar to 3,239,048 3/1966 Bogeaus 197/6.7 contain the drivereaction forces therebetween. Also an inter- 3,280,955 10/1966 Brown197/6.7 poser is provided for precise positioning of the punches and3,307,673 3/1967 Jackson 197/64 dies.

2,951,571 9/1960 Colyereta1..

PATENTEDuuv 16 um 3.620. 343

sum 1 or 8 1N VEN'TOR FRITZ A. DEUTISCH awns SB/Q PATENTEDunv 1s l97| 3.620 1343 saw 2 or 8 F INVENTOR.

FfP/TZ A. DEUTSCH A'T'TORNPIY PATENTEDNUV 1s ISII 3, 20,343

sum 5 or a INVENTOR.

FR/TZ A. DEUTSCH PATENTEllunv 1 6 Ian 3.620343 sum 5 or 8 IN Vii. N TORF #2 A. 050mm BY AT'TO NEIY PATENTEBuuv 16 1911 saw 7 0F 8 INVENTOR.F/WTZ A. DEUTSGH SEQ ATTORNEY EMBOSSING DEVICE WITH DIES MOUNTED ONFLEXIBLE FINGERS This invention relates to embossing machines of thetype adapted to produce raised characters on an article, usually a cardor plate of metal or plastic.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Application Ser. No. 784,561entitled Embossing Discs filed Dec. 18, 1968, is directed to specificpreferred embodiment of rotatable embosser discs. Application Ser. No.794,898 entitled Carriage for Embossing Machine filed Jan. 29, 1969, isdirected to a specific preferred carriage for placing an embossableplate with respect to embosser discs in the pressure applicator deviceof this invention. Application Ser. No. 818,005 entitled RegistrationAlignment For Embossing Machine, filed Apr. 21, 1969 is directed to aspecific means to assure proper rotational positioning of the embossingdiscs before pressure is applied.

Examples of embossing machines of the type which form raised characterson metal or plastic plates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,973,853 inthe name of Freedson; No. 3,029,920 in the name of Seifried; and No.3,293,691 in the name of Gollwitzer. These machines utilize precisionformed, individually mounted punch and die sets.

Machines which have individual punches and dies require complex mountingmeans and means to select the required punch and die for each embossingoperation. Further, the nature of these sets and this mounting hasrequired complicated, complex drive-mechanized machines for applying theembossing force. This complex and precision equipment contributes to amachine that is rapid and accurate, forming precise characters rapidlyon a large volume basis. The quality of the product which such machineswill produce is unexcelled. Whenever the embossed product will be usedto roduce printing which must be machine read, high quality is required.If not, then lesser quality can be accepted. However, this complexmechanism and precision formed dies contribute substantially to the costof the machine.

When the number of articles to be embossed is sufficiently large orprecision is required to justify the cost of the machine, these machinesare the preferred choice.

When the number of articles to be embossed is low and high precision isnot required, the cost of these machines often cannot be justified. Forexample, a small local merchant may wish to imprint a limited number ofcharge account cards or plates and the above described machines may betoo expensive for his purpose.

There are small inexpensive hand-operated machines which are suitablefor embossing characters on soft plastic ribbon. These are thesqueeze-type machines wherein hand pressure is applied by mechanicaldevice to emboss characters on soft plastic ribbon. Such machines arenot capable of producing characters on heavy plastic or sheet metal andare suitable only for producing a single continuous line of characters.The soft plastic ribbon upon which these machines operate is notsuitable for the printing requirements of credit cards or addressingplates used as printing tokens.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION An advantage of this invention is that it providesa compact, inexpensive embossing machine which is suitable for embossingplastic and metal plates for such purposes as forming credit cards, oraddress plates.

A further advantage is that it provides a portable, relativelyinexpensive embossing machine for embossing metals and hard plasticplates, which utilizes punch and die members formed on a pair ofdiscs.

These and other advantages and objects together with a fullerunderstanding of the invention may be had by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embossing device embodyingprinciples according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partially in section with parts broken away forclarity, of the embossing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken substantially along line 3- 3 of FIG.2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary side elevational views with portions insection, taken from a position substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one disc used in the embossing procedure;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the planedesignated by the line 7--7 FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the planedesignated by the line 88 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a mating discs to that shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the planedesignated by the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 1 l is a sectional view taken substantially along the planedesignated by the line llll in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism and portionsof the embossing mechanism related to the FIG. 3-5;

FIGS. 13 through 15 are side elevational views of the cabinet showingthe various stages of the opening thereof for replacing discs;

FIG. 16, on page I of the drawings, is a partial rear elevational viewof a yoke having a slide adjustment for adjusting the effective distanceof stroke for selecting the effective embossing force;

FIG. 17, on page 1 of the drawings, is a bottom view of the device ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a section taken along line l8l8 of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 19, on the last page of drawings, is a plan view somewhatdiagrammatic showing a motorized embodiment of the drive mechanism toreplace the manual drive shown in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, an article-embossing deviceaccording to this invention is shown. The embossing device includes acase designated generally as 20 having a base section 22 and a coversection 24.

A carriage generally designated as 26 is mounted on the base section 22.The carriage is adapted to support an article such as a plastic card oraluminum alloy plate for embossing, and permits the incrementaladvancement of the article after each character is formed and alsoprovides for line spacing so that several lines may be embossed on thearticle.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the embossing mechanism contained withinthe case 20 is shown in detail. Refer first to FIG. 3. The mechanismincludes a shaft 28 secured to extend from a stud 30 formed in the coversection 24. A nut 32 and washer 34 locks the shaft into place to preventits rotating. A drive pulley 36 is journaled on the shaft 28 and ismaintained thereon by a snapring 38. The drive pulley 36 is operable bya knob 40 extending from cover 24, as seen best in FIG. 2. A shaft 41extends from knob 40 through the cover 24 and is provided with a bevelgear 42 which meshes with gear teeth 44 formed on a hub portion of thepulley 36.

The pulley 36 is used to drive a visible indicia device. A flexible cord46 is reaved therearound, which cord is also reaved around a pair ofguide pulleys 48 and 50 journaled at opposite ends of the cover 24. Thecord 46 is attached to a pointer 52, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, whichcooperates with a linear character designating indicia 54. The pointerand indicia scale indicate the selected character to be embossed.

The two cooperating discs of FIGS. 6 and 9 are grouped as a discassembly designated generally as 56, see FIG. 3. Assembly 56 isjournaled on the shaft 28 and secured thereon by a snapring 57. The discassembly 56 includes at the top thereof, an annular ring member 58having a tongue 59 extending upwardly therefrom into a slot 60 formed inthe hub of pulley 36. This acts as a keying device to precisely positionthe disc assembly 56 with respect to the pulley 36 on the shaft 28 andto cause the disc assembly 56 to rotate in union with the pulley 36.

The disc assembly 56 includes an upper embossing disc 62 and a lowerembossing disc 64. The upper embossing disc 62 is secured to the ring 58by plurality of rivets, one of which is shown at 66. The lower embossingdisc 64 is secured to a sleeve member 68 by a plurality of rivets one ofwhich is shown at 70. The sleeve 68 is mounted for axial slideablemovement on an axial extension 72 of the ring 58 and is retained thereonby a snapring 73. A coil spring 74, around extension 72, operatesagainst a shoulder 76 formed on the extension 72 and against the sleeve68 nonnally urging the discs 62 and 64 away from each other, thesnapring 73 acting as a stop.

A pilot stud 78 is provided which extends through the ring 58, the upperdisc 62 and the lower disc 64, and serves to guide the lower disc withrespect to the upper disc to keep the proper character sets in alignmentfor embossing.

The discs 62 and 64 are provided with mated punch and die members forperforming the embossing operation and are shown in detail in FIGS. 6through 11. The disc shown in FIGS. 9 through 11 carries the die orfemale members of the set and the disc shown in FIGS. 6 through 8carries the punch or male members of the set. If the device is to beused to provide raised human readable characters, the upper disc 62 willbe the disc carrying the die members and the lower disc 64 will bethedisc having the punch members; if the device is to be used to providereverse or printing characters on a plate, the lower disc 64 will havethe die members and the upper disc 62 will have the punch members.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, the disc has a generally solidcentral section 80 with a plurality of separate arms 82 extendingtherefrom. At the end of each of the arms 82 a punch 84 is providedwhich has a character projecting from the surface thereof. Similarly, inFIG. 9 the disc has a solid central section 80 and a plurality of arms82' extending therefrom. At the end of each of the arms 82' is a raisedpad 84' having a recessed character die. Preferably the discs aremanufactured according to the teachings of copending application, Ser.No. 784,561 filed Dec. 18, 1968 entitled EMBOSSING DISCS, although othermethods of manufacture may be used.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the discs 62 and 64 in the discassembly 56 are so positioned that corresponding punch and die members84 and 84 are aligned so as to perform an embossing operation whenpressure is applied.

The punch and die sets are rotated to an embossing station by turningthe knob 40. This will rotate pulley 36. Since the disc assembly 56 iskeyed to the pulley 36, it will rotate therewith. The pointer 52 isdriven by the cord 46 along indicia scale 54 to indicate which characterset is at the embossing Station.

As shown in FIG. 3, an article A to be embossed is held by the carriagein a plane between the discs 62 and 64 and in a position to be embossed.An anvil in the form of a yoke member 86 is provided which has apressure yoke surface 88 formed thereon. The yoke 86 has depending legs89 at opposite ends which are journaled on a reaction bar shaft 90 whichin turn is secured to the base 22 of the case 20.

Refer now to FIGS. 3 and 12. Embossing pressure is generated by means ofa cam 92 mounted on the reaction bar 90. Cam 92 operates a levermechanism, generally designated as 94, to provide the embossing force.

The lever mechanism 94 includes an embossing head 96 mounted on a camfollower 98 which operates against the surface of the cam 92. Theembossing head 96 and cam follower 98 are secured to one end of abifurcated lever 100. The opposite end of lever 100 is joumaled on ashaft 102, mounted on a bracket 104. The bracket 104 is secured to thebase section 22 of the case 20. A pair of lost motion link members 106are provided on opposite sides of the lever 100, each extending from thecenter of the lever 100 to the midportion of a second bifurcated lever108. One end of the lever 108 is secured by a shaft 110 to the bracket104.

See FIG. 3. The lost motion connection of each link 106 is created byuse of an elongated slot 1 12 formed in the link 106. A pin 114 on thelever 108 extends through slot 112. A pin 118 connects the other end ofthe link 106 to the lever 100. A spring 116 is connected between the pin114 and the pin 118. The bifurcated lever 108 has camming surfaces 120formed adjacent one end thereof, disposed to operate against the sleeve68. See FIG. 3.

FIGS. 2 through 5 show the operation of the embossing apparatus whenactuated by the cam 92. When the shaft turns in a clockwise direction,as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the cam 92 raisesthe cam follower 98. This causes the lever to pivot about the shaft 102,causing the spring I 16 to pivot the lever 108 about the shaft 1 10.When the lever 108 pivots about the shaft 110, the cam surfaces I20 actagainst the end of the sleeve 68 pushing it upwardly. This will causethe disc 64 to slide axially on the hub extension 72 toward the disc 62.It will be noted that the embossing head 96 is also moving upwardly.However, the profile of the cam 92 and lever mechanism 94 is so designedthat the mechanical advantage will prevent the embossing head 96 fromcoming in contact with the lower disc 64 until closure of the discs hasbeen efi'ected, as shown in FIG. 4. Hence, the initial action of thelever mechanism 94 is to cause the lower disc 64 to move axially towardthe upper disc 62 until the punch and die sets 84 and 84' come incontact with opposite sides of the article A. At this point, whenclosure has been efi'ected, continued movement of the cam 92 in thedirection shown by the arrow from the position shown in FIG. 4 to theposition shown in FIG. 5, will cause the embossing head 96 to closeagainst the punch member 84. Continuing cam rotation will applyembossing pressure against the work surface 88 on the yoke 86. The finalsurface of cam 92 is a continuously expanding radius. The embossingpressure is selected for a given card material by selecting therotational stopping point of the cam. After the discs have been closedby drive applied through spring I16, further movement of lever 100 willresult only in expansion of spring 116.

The embossing pressure will cause a character to be embossed on thearticle between the punch and die set at the embossing station. (It willbe noted that upon the upward movement of the disc 64 effecting closure,the punch and die sets 84 and 84 on several arms adjacent the charactersat the embossing station will also close against opposite sides of thearticle. However, the force of closure is not sufficient to causeembossing, the embossing pressure being applied only to the punch anddie set at the embossing station by the embossing head 96.)

Once the character has been formed in the article A, movement of theshaft in the opposite direction will release the embossing mechanism toreturn to the position shown in FIG. 3. A torsion spring (not shown)urges lever I00 to the FIG. 3 position against the urge of cam 92. Asthe lever I00 returns, the link 106 will drive lever 108 back to itsFIG. 3 position. Spring tension is sufficient to close the discs, butpositionopening action is required, and assured by link 106. The articleA can then be advanced and the knob rotated to select a differentcharacter. One upstanding advantage of this invention wherein the discsare closed on parallel planes is that this arrangement allows forprecise mating of punch and die members. If embossing is accomplished byflexing the arms 82 and 82, precise mating of the punch and die is oftendifficult to obtain because of the arcuate path of travel of the membersas opposed to a linear path as accomplished by this invention. Also, theembossing mechanism in the arrangement of this invention permits theembossing discs to be mounted on planes which are spaced adequately forproper clearance with the article to be embossed so the discs 62 and 64will rotate freely without scraping against or hanging up on thearticle. This adequate, wide separation, is possible since the embossingtakes place by first moving the lower disc 64 axially toward the upperdisc 62 and not applying embossing pressure against the member 84' untilclosure has been effected. If the embossing pressure were applieddirectly to the member on the lower disc without first raising it toefiect closure, there would necessarily be a substantial amount ofbending of the arm 82 thereof which carries the member 84. Of course,the greater the separation between the discs 62 and 64, the greater thebending of the arms 82' that would take place. It has been found thatwhen the arms 82' are repeatedly bent over a substantial distance thereis a tendency toward failure of the arms due to work hardening of thematerial. This mechanism, however, overcomes this tendency towardfailure by eliminating the repeated flexing of the arms of the discs.Hence, adequate spacing can be maintained between the discs 62 and 64 topermit proper clearance of the article A when the discs are beingrotated to select the character to be embossed.

Also in this device, the yoke or anvil 86 is connected to a reaction bar90 whereby the reaction forces of the embossing are contained betweenthe yoke and the reaction bar and are not carried by the case. Becauseof this design, the case can be made of relatively light material,inasmuch as it is not required to contain or withstand the reactionforces of embossing.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the drive mechanism for operating the embossingmechanism is shown. The drive mechanism includes a crank 122 mounted ona second reaction bar or shaft 124. An eccentric collar 126 is alsomounted on the reaction shaft 124. Collar 126 is connected by a drivelink 128 to a second eccentric collar 130 mounted on reaction bar 90. Areturn spring 131 surrounding reaction shaft 124 normally urges thereaction shaft 124 in a clockwise direction to the position shown.Rotation of crank 122, counterclockwise, as indicated by the arrow, willcause a counterclockwise rotation of bar 124 which, through the actionof the drive link 128, will cause clockwise rotation of the reaction bar90. As described previously, rotation of bar 90 will first cause aclosure of the discs and thereafter the embossing pressure will beapplied. When the handle 122 is released, the spring 131 will return themechanism to its initial position.

It is preferred that the drive link 128 be made adjustable in length,which is accomplished by manufacturing the drive link in two parts withan adjusting screw and nut 132 joining the parts. This adjustment servesseveral purposes. First adjustment can be made after assembly of thedevice and, because of this adjustment certain tolerances can bemaintained much looser than otherwise would be possible. Also, theadjustment serves to vary the stroke of the link 128 which will vary therotational position of cam 92 and the embossing pressure applied to thedisc 62. Variation in the embossing force is desirable if articles ofdifferent material are to be embossed. Also, this adjustment providesthe operator with the opportunity to adjust for exactly the rightpressure for precision control.

The reaction shaft 90 is interconnected to the reaction shaft 124 by apair of rib members 133 and 134 which journal shafts 90 and 124 oppositeends. This particular construction contains the driving forces betweenthe shaft 90 and the shaft 124 and thus does not transmit any of thesedriving forces to the case. Hence, this drive device with the drivingforces contained between the shafts 90 and 124 coupled with the yoke 86mounted on the reaction shaft 90 and containing the embossing reactionforces therebetween provides a drive and embossing mechanism wherein noextreme forces are transmitted to the case.

As was indicated above, the proper character set is positioned byrotation of the disc assembly 56. However, this is merely a rough orapproximate setting. Hence, an interposer is provided for precisepositioning of the character sets.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 12, the interposer mechanism of this deviceis shown located adjacent the central area of shaft 124, and generallydesignated by reference character 136. interposer 136 includes a bracket138 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the cover section 24 of the case 20. Afinger 140 is joumaled on a shaft 142 carried by the bracket 138. Anactuating link 144 is connected between the finger 140 and a lever arm146. The actuating link 164 has a lost motion arrangement similar to thelink 106. The lever arm 146 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 148 which,in turn, is carried by the bracket 138. The lever arm 146 is providedwith a cam follower 150 which is actuated by a cam 152 mounted on shaft124. A spring 153 normally maintains the finger in the retractedposition shown in FIG. 3.

When the reaction shaft 124 is rotated because of the action of thecrank 122, the cam 152 drives the lever arm 146 about shaft 148. Arm 146drives link 144 to cause the finger 140 to pivot about the shaft 142.Grooves or depressions 154 are formed in the ring member 58. The grooves154 are located circumferentially about the ring member 58 so that eachgroove corresponds with a given punch and die member on the disc 62 and64 and the grooves are equally spaced. As the finger 140 pivots, itadvances into locking engagement with the groove most accurately alignedtherewith. This action is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Thus, if disc assembly 56 is not accurately positioned by the operator,the action of the finger 140, in groove 154, will move the disc assembly56 slightly clockwise or counterclockwise, so that the punch and diemembers are exactly positioned at the embossing station.

The cam profile of cam 152 and the linkage operated thereby are selectedsuch that the finger 140 engaged the grooves 154 before closure of thediscs 62 and 64 against the article A is effected. This, of course, isto allow for necessary motion of the discs for alignment which could nottake place if the discs were engaged with the article. When the drivemechanism is released, the finger 140 will be retracted by the spring153.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 12, there are additional sets of cams 156and 158 mounted on the shaft 90. These cams operate escapement mechanism160 (FIG. 2) which will advance the carriage 26 one space for eachcompleted cycle of the embossing operation.

FIGS. 13 through 15 show how the embossing machine can be opened foraccess to the interior thereof for replacement of the discs. As can beseen in these figures, the cover section 24 is hingedly mounted to thebase section 22 by hinge pins 162. A latch 164 is pivotally mounted onthe yoke 86 and has a groove 165 at one end thereof adapted to engagelatch pin 166 formed on the interior of the cover section 24. As canbest be seen in FIGS. 2 and 12, a coil spring 168 is provided around oneend of the reaction bar 90, and acts against the yoke 86 normally urgingthe yoke to rotate in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 12through 15. The latch 164, when engaged with the latch pin 166,maintains the yoke 86 against this rotation and in a position with thework surface 88 disposed adjacent a member 84' and disc 62 for theembossing operation.

For access to the interior of the case 20, the latch 164 is depressed,releasing it from engagement with the latch pin 166. When this happensthe yoke 86 will pivot to the position shown in FIG. 14, due to theaction of the coil spring 168. This pivotal movement of the yoke is toprovide clearance space so that the yoke will not interfere with themovement of the discs 62 and 64 when the cover is raised to the positionshown in FIG. 15. An articulated hinge member (not shown) may be used tomaintain the cover in the open position.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, the disc assembly 56 is readily exposed andaccessible and can be easily replaced by merely removing the snapring 57and then removing the disc assembly 56 from the shaft 28. A replacementdisc assembly can be inserted merely by slipping the disc assembly onthe shaft, aligning the tongue 59 with the groove 60, pushing the discassembly 56 into place, and replacing the snapring 57. The cover section24 can then be closed, the yoke 86 pivoted back, and the latch 164engaged with the latch pin I66 readying the machine for operation again.

Reviewing the operation of the machine, the proper disc assembly 56 isselected and inserted into the machine. The article to be embossed,which may be a plastic card or an aluminum alloy plate, or other similararticle, is placed into the carriage and advanced to the embossingposition between the discs. The knob 40 is turned to rotate the discassembly 56 to move the desired punch and die members 84 and 84' to theembossing station adjacent the work surface 88 on the yoke 86. Theindicia on the face of the cover member shows by means of the pointerwhat character is at the embossing station.

When the proper character is selected, the crank arm 122 is actuated,which rotates the reaction bar 124. The rotation of reaction bar 124rotates cam 152 which operates the interposer mechanism 136 whichprecisely positions the disc assembly 56 for embossing. At the sametime, rotation of the reaction bar 124 rotates reaction bar 90 and thecam 92 operates the lever mechanism 94 which in turn raises the lowerdisc 64 toward the upper disc 62 and closes the punch and die members 84and 84' at the embossing station against the article A. After closurehas been effected, the cam 92 continues to move the embossing head 96 toapply embossing pressure against member 84' at the embossing station,forcing the member 84 against the work surface 88 on the yoke 86 to forma character in the article A. The yoke 86 being mounted on the reactionbar 90 causes the reaction forces from the embossing operation to becarried between the yoke and the reaction bar; and the reaction bar 124being connected to the reaction bar 90 by ribs 133 and 134 causes thereaction forces of the drive action to be contained between the reactionbars 90 and 124. After the embossing has been completed, the handle isreleased and the spring 131 will return it to its original position. Thebar 90 will rotate, rotating cam 92, which will allow the spring 74 toseparate the discs 62 and 64 and the spring 153 to retract the finger140. The cams 156 and 158 will operate the escapement mechanism 160 ofthe carriage advancing the article to be embossed, a single space andready it for the next embossing.

It will be apparent that many modifications and variations of the deviceare possible. For example, as was indicated above, one reason the drivelink 128 is made adjustable is to vary the embossing pressure applied.However, if it is desired, the embossing pressure can be varied in otherways. For example, in FIGS. 16 through 18, a sliding wedge mechanism isshown. In this embodiment, a wedge-shaped adjustment plate 170 issecured to the bottom of the yoke 86 by a pair of screws 172 extendingthrough elongated slots 174. The plate 170 is thus slideable laterallyon the screws, as shown by the arrows in F I6. 17. A pressure plate 176is provided which is mounted on a bracket 178 attached to the rear ofthe yoke by a pair of screws 180. The pressure plate 176 has a lowerpressure arm 182 underlying and in contact with the wedge plate 170. Arm182 is wedge-shaped, complimentary to the wedge shape of the plate 170.Plate 176 has a top extension arm 186. A pair of biasing springs 184 areprovided, which act between the bracket 178 and extension arm 186 of theplate 176, normally biasing the arm 176 into tight engagement with theadjustment plate. The biasing force is sufficiently strong enough tobind the plate 170 to prevent lateral movement, when desired. Bottomsurface 188 of the arm 182 acts as the work surface against which theembossing pressure is applied. Movement of the plate 170 to the left (asviewed in FIGS. 16 and 17) will cause the arm 182 to move farther awayfrom the underside of the yoke, and movement to the right will cause itto move closer to the yoke. This will change the distance of the worksurface from the embossing head 96. Hence, with the proper cam profile,this change in distance will vary the embossing pressure applied,without changing the stroke length of the drive.

If desired, a pointer could be employed with suitable indicia toindicate the position of the plate 170 and relative height of the worksurface 188.

Referring now to FIG. 19, a motorized embodiment of the drive mechanismof this invention is shown. In this embodiment, the embossing mechanism,and carriage mechanism, are essentially the same as previouslydescribed. But, instead of a hand lever, a motor 190 and motor controland drive components designated generally as 192 are provided to operatethe drive means. These components and motor function in a conventionalmanner to rotate the reaction bars 90 and 124. It will be noted that inthis embodiment the drive link 128 is solid, but a connector link 194connects the motor with the shaft 124, which link has an adjustmentscrew 196, so that the length thereof may be adjusted, and therebyadjust the length of the stroke of the drive for varying the embossingforce.

The components 192 are operable by a switch (not shown) which energizesthe motor for a complete revolution of drive eccentric 198 for acompleted embossing stroke and then shuts the motor off in aconventional manner.

It is also to be understood that various other adaptations andmodifications could be made to the device of the present invention. Forexample, instead of using a linear scale, a rotary disc-type indicatorcould be provided extending through the top of the cover and connecteddirectly to the pulley 36 which would rotate with the pulley indicatingthe character which is being embossed.

While several embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, various adaptations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In an embossing machine having carriage means disposed to support anembossable article having opposite spaced apart planar sides, and whichcarriage means has spacing means for advancing said articleincrementally, a set of punch members and a set of die members, theimprovement which comprises a first disc carrying one set of members anda second disc carrying the other set of members, said second discincluding a central section and a plurality of flexible arms extendingradially from said central section and spaced apart around the peripherythereof, a member of said other set of members being fixedly disposed oneach of said arms, means mounting said discs for rotation in spacedplanes on opposite sides of said plane of said article withcorresponding punch and die members in alignment, said mounting meansincluding means mounting at least one disc for axial movement toward andaway from the other, means to simultaneously rotate said discs to moveselected punch and die sets to an embossing station, work surface meansat said embossing station for containing embossing forces generated uponembossing of the article, and operator-controlled actuating means, saidactuating means including closure means for moving at least said onedisc axially relative to the other disc to first bring punch and diemembers on opposite sides of said article at the embossing station intocontact with the opposite sides of said article by movement of at leastsaid one of said discs as a whole through a distance insufiicient tocause embossing of said article, and pressure-generating means forsubsequently flexing one of said flexible arms relative to the centralportion to move one of said punch members through a plane of one of theopposite sides of the article after operation of said closure means toapply embossing pressure to the punch and die members against said worksurface means at said embossing station by application of pressure toonly the punch and die members at the embossing station to emboss thearticle, said pressuregenerating means including a member which engagesand moves an outer end portion of said one of said flexible arms at theembossing station independently of movement of the central section ofsaid second disc to thereby effect the aforesaid embossing of thearticle, while said central section is stationary.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes cammeans disposed to operate said closure means and saidpressure-generating means.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein a single cam is disposed tooperate both said pressure-generating means and said closure means.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said pressuregenerating means isdirectly operated by said cam means. and said closure means is operablyconnected to said pressuregenerating means by link means and operablethereby.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said link means includes lostmotion means to permit motion of said pressuregenerating means afterclosure has been affected by the closure means.

6. In an embossing machine, having carriage means disposed to support anarticle on a given plane for embossing, said carriage means havingspacing means for advancing said article incrementally, a set of punchmembers and a set of die members, the improvement which comprises:

a first disc carrying one set of members and a second disc carrying theother set of members;

shaft means mounting said discs in spaced relationship on opposite sidesof said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die membersin alignment;

said first disc being mounted for movement toward and away from saidsecond disc;

a yoke having an embossing station and a work surface at said embossingstation;

means to simultaneously rotate said discs to move selected punch and diesets to said embossing station;

an actuating means, said actuating means including means disposed tomove said first disc toward said second disc to bring the punch and diemembers into contact with the opposite sides of said article and applyembossing pressure to the punch and die members against said worksurface at said embossing station;

a reaction bar;

means for connecting said yoke to said reaction bar to containtherebetween the reaction forces of embossing pressure;

said actuating means including cam means acting between said reactionbar and said yoke, and

drive means having a crank and drive link means movable between arelaxed position and a full actuated position for transferring driveforces to said cam means and means to adjust the length of the drivelink means to adjust the embossing pressure at the full actuatedposition.

7. In an embossing machine, having carriage means disposed to support anarticle on a given plane for embossing, said carriage means havingspacing means for advancing said article incrementally, a set of punchmembers and a set of die members, the improvement which comprises;

a first disc carrying one set of members and a second disc carrying theother set of members; shaft means mounting said discs in spacedrelationship on opposite sides of said plane of said article withcorresponding punch and die members in alignment; said first disc beingmounted for movement toward and away from said second disc; a yokehaving an embossing station and a work surface at said embossingstation; a reaction bar; means to simultaneously rotate said discs tomove selected punch and die sets to said station; an actuating means,said actuating means including means disposed to move said first disctoward said second disc to bring the punch and die members into contactwith the opposite sides of said article and apply embossing pressure tothe punch and die members against said work surface at said embossingstation; means for connecting said yoke to said reaction bar to containtherebetween the reaction forces of embossing pressure; said actuatingmeans including cam means acting between said reaction bar and saidyoke, and drive means having a crank and drive link means movablebetween a relaxed position and a full actuated position for transferringdrive forces to said cam means and means to adjust the embossingpressure at the full actuated position including slide means having aninclined plane operative to change the position of said work surface.

i t i 0

1. In an embossing machine having carriage means disposed to support anembossable article having opposite spaced apart planar sides, and whichcarriage means has spacing means for advancing said articleincrementally, a set of punch members and a set of die members, theimprovement which comprises a first disc carrying one set of members anda second disc carrying the other set of members, said second discincluding a central section and a plurality of flexible arms extendingradially from said central section and spaced apart around the peripherythereof, a member of said other set of members being fixedly disposed oneach of said arms, means mounting said discs for rotation in spacedplanes on opposite sides of said plane of said article withcorresponding punch and die members in alignment, said mounting meansincluding means mounting at least one disc for axial movement toward andaway from the other, means to simultaneously rotate said discs to moveselected punch and die sets to an embossing station, work surface meansat said embossing station for containing embossing forces generated uponembossing of the article, and operator-controlled actuating means, saidactuating means including closure means for moving at least said onedisc axially relative to the other disc to first bring punch and diemembers on opposite sides of said article at the embossing station intocontact with the opposite sides of said article by movement of at leastsaid one of said discs as a whole through a distance insufficient tocause embossing of said article, and pressure-generating means forsubsequently flexing one of said flexible arms relative to the centralportion to move one of said punch members through a plane of one of theopposite sides of the article after operation of said closure means toapply embossing pressure to the punch and die members against said worksurface means at said embossing station by application of pressure toonly the punch and die members at the embossing station to emboss thearticle, said pressure-generating means including a member which engagesand moves an outer end portion of said one of said flexible arms at theembossing station independently of movement of the central section ofsaid second disc to thereby effect the aforesaid embossing of thearticle, while said central section is stationary.
 2. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said actuating means includes cam means disposed tooperate said closure means and said pressure generating means.
 3. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein a single cam is disposed to operate bothsaid pressure-generating means and said closure means.
 4. Thecombination of claim 3 wherein said pressure-generating means isdirectly operated by said cam means, and said closure means is operablyconnected to said pressure-generating means by link means and operablethereby.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said link means includeslost motion means to permit motion of said pressure-generating meansafter closure has been affected by the closure means.
 6. In an embossingmachine, having carriage means disposed to support an article on a givenplane for embossing, said carriage means having spacing means foradvancing said article incrementally, a set of punch members and a setof die members, the improvement which comprises: a first disc carryingone set of members and a second disc carrying the other set of members;shaft means mounting said discs in spaced relationship on opposite sidesof said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die membersin alignment; said first disc being mounted for movement toward and awayfrom said second disc; a yoke having an embossing station and a worksurface at said embossing station; means to simultaneously rotate saiddiscs to move selected punch and die sets to said embossing station; anactuating means, said actUating means including means disposed to movesaid first disc toward said second disc to bring the punch and diemembers into contact with the opposite sides of said article and applyembossing pressure to the punch and die members against said worksurface at said embossing station; a reaction bar; means for connectingsaid yoke to said reaction bar to contain therebetween the reactionforces of embossing pressure; said actuating means including cam meansacting between said reaction bar and said yoke, and drive means having acrank and drive link means movable between a relaxed position and a fullactuated position for transferring drive forces to said cam means andmeans to adjust the length of the drive link means to adjust theembossing pressure at the full actuated position.
 7. In an embossingmachine, having carriage means disposed to support an article on a givenplane for embossing, said carriage means having spacing means foradvancing said article incrementally, a set of punch members and a setof die members, the improvement which comprises; a first disc carryingone set of members and a second disc carrying the other set of members;shaft means mounting said discs in spaced relationship on opposite sidesof said plane of said article with corresponding punch and die membersin alignment; said first disc being mounted for movement toward and awayfrom said second disc; a yoke having an embossing station and a worksurface at said embossing station; a reaction bar; means tosimultaneously rotate said discs to move selected punch and die sets tosaid station; an actuating means, said actuating means including meansdisposed to move said first disc toward said second disc to bring thepunch and die members into contact with the opposite sides of saidarticle and apply embossing pressure to the punch and die membersagainst said work surface at said embossing station; means forconnecting said yoke to said reaction bar to contain therebetween thereaction forces of embossing pressure; said actuating means includingcam means acting between said reaction bar and said yoke, and drivemeans having a crank and drive link means movable between a relaxedposition and a full actuated position for transferring drive forces tosaid cam means and means to adjust the embossing pressure at the fullactuated position including slide means having an inclined planeoperative to change the position of said work surface.